They're farmers, and that's what the Schweers started out as in 1974. And they'll continue to do it as long as they can stay in New Mexico. Marianne and George Schweers own Eagle Ranch and Heart of the Desert Pistachios and Wines, based out of Alamogordo with two smaller shops in Las Cruces and Mesilla.

George was an officer in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Holloman Air Force Base the Schweers decided they wanted to stay in this climate after he finished his service. After some extensive encyclopedia research on farming in the desert, they decided on pistachio farming.

"Pistachios were at the top of the list because they could grow in the desert," Marianne said. "They're slow-growing, but have a long term investment," she said. "You plant the trees for your grandchildren. In 2001, we decided to add a vineyard... the first bottle of wine was sold in 2002. Grapes and pistachios are both in the gourmet market, and they go well together."

Whether you're shipping a gift to a neighbor down the street, a relative in another state or a deployed solider, consider Heart of the Desert for all your pistachio and wine gift basket needs this season.

The selection of pistachios, coffee and wine gift baskets seems limitless, and delivery locations are nearly endless too. The shops offer all of these things under their label in addition to hard candies, chocolates, popcorn, brittle and cookies too, according to Maria Masey, regional store manager.

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"We offer shipping worldwide to wherever FedEx or UPS will deliver to with exclusion on wines," said Masey.

Masey is based in Alamogordo at Eagle Ranch, the state's oldest and largest pistachio farm with 12,000 trees. A vineyard is also on site which contributes to a line of 12 different wines for all three of the store locations: Eagle Ranch (Alamogordo), Heart of the Desert (Mesilla) and Eagle Ranch Mercantile at The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum (Las Cruces).

The two most popular wines are Pistachio Rose and Viva la Roja, which are both semi-sweet wines. The rose is a 2012 New Mexico State Fair Wine Competition bronze medal winner and is a blend of white zinfandel and chenin blanc grapes with pistachio extract.

The Viva la Roja is a table wine made from a blend of zinfandel, merlot and muscat grapes and can be served chilled or at room temperature. Very similar to Spanish Sangria in taste, Viva la Roja is Schweers's favorite because "it goes with everything," she said.

Wine tastings and pistachio samples are available at all locations, and orders can be placed over the phone, in person at one of the stores, or online.

"The Mesilla store sees more traffic because of its location," Masey said, "But, the location at Farm and Ranch Museum offers a really good tie in with farming and ranching. There's a snack bar and an interactive play area for the kids too."

She said the tastings are free at the Alamogordo and Las Cruces locations, and at Mesilla, tastings are $1 per sample, or the tasting fee is waived with purchase of a bottle of wine.

You'll see Heart of the Desert and Eagle Ranch represented at most local wine festivals in Las Cruces and Tularosa. While there aren't immediate plans to add another retail location, Heart of the Desert will focus on what they have going currently.

Wine aficionados can join the Heart of the Desert wine club, which offers up to two bottles of wine every month that can be mailed to your residence or be picked up in the stores.

"Wine club members receive 20 percent off all wine purchases year round and can select their favorites or choose from our recommendations," Masey said.

There are no terms or contracts to signing up for this membership, she said, and members are able to opt out at any time.

From the year-round farm staff to store associates, packers and quality control team, as many as 55 employees at a time can keep the business running, Masey said.

"Right now is our busiest time of year with the holidays coming and harvesting season just ending. We're really focusing on gift baskets and also getting people signed up for the wine club."

People can also nominate an individual or family who they feel should be recognized for the business's Caring Hearts Award, Nov. 12 to 24. First, second and third place winners will be awarded a gift basket from Heart of the Desert if their "caring heart" story is chosen.

"You always hear about all of the negative stuff, but there are so many wonderful people out there," Schweers said.

Heart of the Desert will send out baskets to the winners just before Christmas. Nominations can be made in person at any of the stores or by emailing your story to info@heartofthedesert.com.

Daniella Wiedel is a freelance writer and may be reached at daniella.deluca@gmail.com.

If you go

What: Eagle Ranch and Heart of the Desert Pistachios and Wines

When: Tours of pistachio grove on weekdays at Alamogordo September through May at 1:30 p.m. Store hours for tastings are posted online for each location.

Where: One of three locations in Las Cruces, Mesilla and Alamogordo

Cost: Farm tours are free. Wine tastings are free at Las Cruces and Alamogordo locations, and $1 per taste at Mesilla shop; Wines $11 to $17 per bottle

Info: heartofthedesert.com, 800-432-0999

Nuts about pistachios

In addition to being a delicious treat, pistachios are among the most nutritious nuts around. Pistachio nuts are all natural, cholesterol free, high in fiber, low in saturated fats and no transfats and gluten free. One ounce of shelled pistachios contains 10 percent of an adult's needed daily intake of protein, without animal fats. There is more potassium and iron by weight in pistachios than in any other nut, fruit or vegetable.

Pistachios are nutrient dense, providing a good balance of calories compared to concentrated nutrition. They are an excellent source of complex carbohydrate energy.

— Information courtesy of HeartoftheDesert.com

Locations:

Alamogordo, 7288 Hwy 54/70

Heart of the Desert, Inc. at Eagle Ranch is the original location founded in Alamogordo in 1974. Walking tours are offered on weekdays from September through May at 1:30 p.m. The tours are offered twice a day in June through August at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Large groups of 10 or more can be accommodated by appointment.

Las Cruces, 4100 Dripping Springs Road

Located inside the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, this shop offers a family-friendly atmosphere inside a Southwest-inspired gift shop. Stop in after your trip to the museum and go home with some gifts for friends and family.

Mesilla, 2355 Calle de Guadalupe

Known as gift basket and wine tasting central, this quaint shop on the Mesilla plaza is a place to stop in during the Farmer's Market or for another every-day diversion.